Multitasking, Not Always the Best Choice

Contrary to the common belief, multi-tasking is not the answer to accomplishing more things in a fixed amount of time. Rather than dealing with stress, it's time to switch back to an emphasis on doing one thing at a time and doing it well. It's possible to be productive, effective, and stress free by a disciplined approach to what you do and when you do it. Effective leaders make sure they are working on high priority tasks - the tasks are such that others can't do them, and they don't waste time. Adapt these techniques to be productive and stress-free.

Awareness: As with any life change, an important first step is awareness. For one week, keep a log of everything you do in a day and how long each task takes.

Prioritize: A key to stress free productivity is to work on important tasks to the exclusion of lesser tasks. Review the log of activities and identify those tasks producing the greatest benefit.

Avoid Interruptions: Interruptions are your enemy. Some interruptions are unavoidable, but not as many as you might think. For starters, don't allow self initiated interruptions, such as checking email or voicemail. Establish interruption-free periods of the day when you'll focus on the most important tasks and avoid email, phone calls, and in-person interruptions.

Establish Processes: Anything you do that is routine is a candidate for a highly efficient process. Trim unnecessary steps from routines and look for ways to automate, outsource, or delegate.

Empower Others: What do you do that others in the family or at work could do and would be willing to do? We often tend to underestimate the capability of others, seeing them as they were in earlier years when they were inexperienced and dependent. Practice these techniques, and you'll find yourself completing your tasks with lower stress, higher quality, and greater satisfaction.

VOCABULARY BANK

contrary
• adjective opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.
productive
• adjective achieving or producing a significant amount or result
discipline
• noun controlled behavior resulting from such training; train in obedience or self-control by punishment or imposing rules.
priority
• noun a thing regarded as more important than others.
adapt
• verb become adjusted to new conditions.
log
• noun an official record of events.
exclude
• verb deny access to; keep out; remove from consideration.
identify
• verb establish the identity.
interrupt
• verb stop the continuous progress of; stop (a person who is speaking) by saying or doing something.
unavoidable
• adjective not able to be avoided or prevented; inevitable.
automate
• verb convert (a process or facility) to operation by automatic equipment
outsource
• verb obtain by contract from an outside supplier.
delegate
• noun a person sent to represent others, in particular at a conference; a member of a committee.
empower
• verb give authority or power to; give strength and confidence to.
underestimate
• verb regard (someone) as less capable than they really are.
inexperience
• noun lack of experience.

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